ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning.

In simple terms, the function of an ERP system is to integrate your core business areas such as manufacturing, distribution, finance (e.g. accounting).

Enterprise Resource Planning will help:

• You handle the data only once reducing the errors in data entry
• Automate many of the mundane tasks e.g. creating invoices, posting journals etc. – therefore, the staff can concentrate on more challenging and important work
• You have better control over the management of your organization’s information
• To introduce better processes and practices within the organization to improve efficiencies and controls
• Improve productivity
• With the integrated workflow process.  With these your staff will not “lose” any task and there will be no need for reminders or follow-ups
• Staff will know what their pending tasks are at all times
• With Reporting. These systems usually come with a number of pre-built reports. You can define any number of further reports

IT-systems of this kind allow managers from all departments to look “vertically” and “horizontally” across the organization to see what others are accomplishing or failing to accomplish. It attempts to integrate all departments and functions across a company onto one single computer-based system that can serve each department's particular needs.